Animated sign assembly

ABSTRACT

A sign assembly  10  that implements electronic paper to display an animated image. The sign assembly includes a controller  12,  a power supply  14,  a pair of substantially transparent, electrically conductive sheets  16, 18,  and a sheet of electronic paper  24,  which is sandwiched between sheets  16, 18.  Image layers  20, 22  are imprinted on the sheets  16, 18,  or are alternatively held frictionally adjacent to sheets  16, 18  by a frame assembly  56.  Image layers  20, 22  include substantially transparent regions  36, 38, 40  and  42  in which sheet  24  is visible. The conductive sheets  16, 18  are connected to controller  12  which provides an electronic signal which is varied over time resulting in the display of an animated or changing image which may be visible when viewed from one or both sides of the sign assembly  10.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to an animated sign assembly andmore particularly, to a sign assembly which utilizes electronic paper toprovide a selectively animated image in a simple and cost-effectivemanner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Signs are often used to identify, promote and/or advertise goodsand services. Conventional signs typically utilize one or more static orunchanging images to provide advertising or identification of a productor service.

[0003] Efforts have been made to integrate electrical components intosigns in order to provide animated or dynamic images and advertisements.By way of example, electrically-animated signs have been constructedusing arrays of electrically-controlled lights, illuminated gas-filledelements (e.g., neon lights), and electrically-driven moving components.While these prior signs provide limited animation, they are oftenrelatively complex in manufacture and therefore, are relativelyexpensive to produce. Furthermore, these prior electrically-animatedsigns typically consume a relatively large amount of electrical powerduring operation, thereby generating undesirable operating costs.Moreover, the relatively high voltages and currents used to operatethese signs can raise fire and safety issues.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a new and improved animated signassembly which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of prior signassemblies and which implements electronic paper to provide an animatedimage in a simple and cost-effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A first non-limiting advantage of the present invention is thatit provides an animated sign assembly that overcomes some or all of thepreviously delineated drawbacks associated with prior signs.

[0006] A second non-limiting advantage of the present invention is thatit provides a sign assembly that displays a selectively animated imagein a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0007] A third non-limiting advantage of the present invention is thatit provides an electrically-animated sign assembly that consumes arelatively small amount of electrical energy.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a signassembly is provided. The sign assembly includes a sheet of electronicpaper having a color determined by an electric field to which the sheetis subjected; a first conductive sheet disposed on a first side of thesheet of electronic paper; a second conductive sheet disposed on asecond side of the sheet of electronic paper, the second conductivesheet being formed such that at least a portion of the sheet ofelectronic paper is visible; and a source of a varying electric fieldbetween the first and second conductive sheets for causing the sheet ofelectronic paper to change in color.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, ananimated sign assembly is provided. The animated sign assembly includesa first conductive sheet which is substantially transparent; a secondconductive sheet; an image layer which is disposed over the firstconductive sheet and which includes at least one substantiallytransparent region; at least one piece of electronic paper which issandwiched between the first and second conductive sheets and visiblethrough the at least one substantially transparent region, theelectronic paper having a color which corresponds to an electric field;a voltage source; and a controller which is coupled to the voltagesource and to the first and second conductive sheets. The controllerprovides a varying electric field over a portion of the electronicpaper, thereby causing the portion to change in color.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a methodfor animating a sign is provided. The method comprises the steps of:forming a portion of the sign from electronic paper having a colorrelated to an electric field; and selectively generating a varyingelectric field over the electronic paper to cause the electronic paperto vary in color, thereby animating the sign.

[0011] These and other features, advantages, and aspects of theinvention will become apparent by reference to the followingspecification and by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is an exploded, diagrammatic view of an animated signassembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an assembled, diagrammatic view of the animated signassembly shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an animated sign assembly 10 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown, signassembly 10 may include a controller or control module 12, a powersupply 14, a plurality, e.g., a pair, of electrically conductive,transparent or translucent sheets 16, 18, and a sheet 24 of electronicpaper, which will be described more fully and completely below, andwhich is sandwiched between sheets 16, 18. A pair of image layers 20, 22may be selectively printed on, disposed over, or otherwise attached tosheets 16, 18, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, a frameassembly 56 frictionally engages image layers 20, 22 and/or sheets 16,18, thereby holding together image layers 20, 22, sheets 16, 18 andelectronic paper 24. A user-operated control, e.g., a switch assembly26, may be used to control the sign assembly 10.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, control module orcontroller 12 may be a simple electrical circuit comprising conventionalcircuit components which cooperate to control the operation of signassembly 10, as will be described more fully and completely below. Inother alternate embodiments, controller 12 may include one or moreconventional and commercially available microprocessors and/orintegrated circuits which operate under stored program control and whichcooperatively control the operation of sign assembly 10. Controller 12is electrically and communicatively coupled to conductive sheets 16, 18by use of electrical buses 28, 30, respectively. Controller 12 mayreceive electrical power from power supply 14 by use of electrical bus32. Controller 12 is further electrically and communicatively coupled toand selectively receives control signals from user-operated switchassembly 26 by use of bus 34. As discussed more fully and completelybelow, controller 12 selectively provides electrical signals toconductive sheets 16, 18 by use of buses 28, 30, to vary the electricfield between conductive sheets 16, 18. In the preferred embodiment,controller 12 may utilize one or more conventional voltage regulators toselectively alter the voltage signal provided to buses 28, 30 inaccordance with the control signals received from switch assembly 26.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment, each sheet 16, 18 may be arelatively thin sheet manufactured from a conventional and substantiallytransparent conductive material, such as electrically conductive glassor plastic. Image layers 20, 22 are preferably made from a nonconductivematerial (e.g., plastic) and may be printed on, disposed over, orotherwise applied or attached to sheets 16, 18, respectively. In thepreferred embodiment, image layers 20, 22 may be selectively insertedinto and removed from (e.g., slid into and out of) frame assembly 56.Image layers 20, 22 may include several substantially transparent“windows” or regions 36, 38, 40 and 42. The remaining areas or regionsof image layers 20, 22 are preferably colored and form an aestheticallypleasing design, picture or advertisement. In the preferred embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the image layers 20, 22 depict a beach scene, theregions 36 and 40 are each shaped or designed to represent a sun, andthe regions 38 and 42 are each shaped or designed to represent a beachball. In other alternate embodiments, different and/or additionaltransparent “windows” may be formed within the image layers 20, 22 basedupon the desired advertisement or picture to be displayed by signassembly 10. Additionally, in other embodiments, sign assembly 10 may be“one-sided,” with only one of sheets 16, 18 being substantiallytransparent and including an image.

[0017] Sheet 24 may be manufactured from one or more pieces ofelectronic paper, having many electrically-charged microcapsules thatare effective to alter the color of the sheet 24 based on the polarityof the electrical field applied to the sheet. In the preferredembodiment, the sheet 24 is made from one or more pieces of SmartPaper™which is distributed by Gyricon Media, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif. In theexample shown in FIG. 1, sheet 24 may include non-overlapping sections44, 46 which are made from electronic paper having color characteristicsdesigned to correspond with the images of regions 36, 38, 40 and 42. Inthe preferred embodiment, section 44 is made from electronic paperhaving an orange/red color combination. That is, section 44 is made fromelectronic paper which has either an orange color or a red colordepending on the polarity of the voltage or electric field over sheet24. Section 46 includes several wedges or subsections 48, 50, 52 and 54which each may comprise a unique color combination, such as black/white,dark blue/bright blue, dark yellow/bright yellow and dark red/brightred. Sections 44, 46 may be individually set or placed within areaswhich have been excised from sheet 24, or alternatively, sections 44, 46may be integrally formed with sheet 24. Sheet 24 is sandwiched betweenconductive sheets 16, 18, which abuttingly engage each side of sheet 24.When assembled, regions 36, 38, 40 and 42 act as “windows” through whichsections 44 and 46 are visible. It should be appreciated that conductivesheets 16, 18 and electronic paper sheet 24 may be of virtually anysize, depending on the desired medium of advertisement. Additionally,sheets 16, 18 and 24 may also comprise or be incorporated into a portionof a larger sign or advertisement.

[0018] Power supply 14 may be a conventional power supply that mayinclude one or more batteries, solar cells, or other suitable directand/or alternating current power sources. Supply 14 provides electricalpower to controller 12 which cooperates with the power supply 14 toprovide a varying source of electrical power to sheets 16, 18. In thepreferred embodiment, user-operated switch assembly 26 is a conventionalelectrical switch assembly that allows a user to selectively activateand deactivate sign assembly 10, and to control the rate at whichcontroller 12 varies the polarity and strength of the voltage over buses28 and 30. Particularly, switch assembly 26 communicates signals tocontroller 12, effective to cause the controller 12 to selectivelyactivate the sign assembly 10 by generating a voltage over busses 28 and30, to deactivate the sign assembly 10 by removing any voltage overbusses 28 and 30, and to control the rate of animation of the signassembly 10 by varying the rate of change of the voltage over buses 28and 30.

[0019] Frame assembly 56 may include several members 58, 60, 62 and 64that are formed from a nonconductive material (e.g., plastic or glass).Members 58, 60, 62 and 62 may be coupled together in a conventionalmanner, such as by use of conventional fasteners or adhesive material.Frame assembly 56 is disposed around sheets 16, 18, and 24 and imagelayers 20, 22, and frictionally engages sheets 16, 18 and/or imagelayers 20, 22, thereby holding together sign assembly 10. In alternateembodiments, sheets 16, 18 and 24 and image layers 20, 22 may be heldtogether in any suitable and/or conventional manner.

[0020] In operation, sign assembly 10 may be used as a dynamic medium ofadvertisement, and may be placed within or outside of a retail store orother place of business. For example, the embodiment of sign assembly10, which is shown in FIG. 1, may be used as an advertisement for abrand of suntan lotion. In such an embodiment, image layers 20, 22 mayinclude a blue sky and sandy beach, as well as any other desirablepicture elements. Substantially transparent sections 36, 40 are designedin the form of a sun, and paper section 44 is viewable through thesesections 36, 40 (see FIG. 2), thereby effectively providing color to thedisplayed sun. Substantially transparent sections 38, 42 are designed inthe form of a beach ball, and paper section 46 is viewable through thesesections 38, 42 (see FIG. 2), thereby effectively providing color to thedisplayed beach ball.

[0021] In order to activate the animated sign assembly 10, a useroperates switch assembly 26, which is effective to cause signalcontroller 12 to apply a varying voltage over buses 28, 30.Particularly, the magnitude and polarity of the voltage across bus 28and bus 30 is selectively varied. This causes the electric field betweenconductive sheet 16 and conductive sheet 18 (i.e., across sheet 24), tolikewise vary and change in polarity. This varying electric field causesthe electronic paper sheet 24 to continuously change color at the ratethe electric field changes in polarity. The rate at which the polarityof the electric field is altered and reversed is set by the controller12, and can be selectively adjusted (i.e., increased or decreased),through user-operated switch assembly 26.

[0022] The varying voltage across sheet 24 animates the image layers 20,22, and more particularly, the portions of the images representing thesun and beach ball (i.e., the images represented by regions 36, 38, 40and 42). That is, an observer will view the electronic paper changingcolor through the “windows” in the image layers 20, 22 (i.e., regions36, 38, 40 and 42). In this manner, the sun represented by regions 36and 40 will appear to be burning or changing in intensity, i.e.,alternating in color between orange and red. The beach ball representedby regions 38 and 42 will likewise change in color. That is, in responseto the varying electric field, the electronic paper within regions 48,50, 52 and 54 will respectively alternate in color between black andwhite, dark blue and bright blue, dark yellow and bright yellow, anddark red and bright red. These color changes are visible through the“windows,” making the sun and ball appear to continuously change incolor. In other alternate embodiments, different and/or additionalregions having different color combinations may be incorporated intosign assembly 10 based on the desired image or advertisement, thusanimating other portions of the sign assembly 10. In one alternateembodiment, the image layers 20, 22 may be removably attachable toconductive sheets 16, 18, thereby allowing the displayed image to beselectively changed, allowing for great flexibility in use of theinvention.

[0023] It should be appreciated that animated sign assembly 10 providessignificant advantages over prior animated sign assemblies. For exampleand without limitation, the amount of electrical power consumed by theassembly is relatively small since only relatively small fluctuations inelectric field are required to change the color of the electronic paperused to manufacture sheet 24. Furthermore, sign assembly 10 has a simpledesign, thereby making the assembly relatively easy and inexpensive tomanufacture. Additionally, in contrast to prior electrically-operatedsigns, the relatively low voltages and currents used by assembly 10 donot pose any significant fire or safety hazards.

[0024] While the foregoing has been with respect to a preferredembodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departingfrom the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which isdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1) A sign assembly comprising: a sheet of electronicpaper having a color determined by an electric field to which the sheetis subjected; a first conductive sheet disposed on a first side of saidsheet of electronic paper; a second conductive sheet disposed on asecond side of said sheet of electronic paper, the second conductivesheet being formed such that at least a portion of said sheet ofelectronic paper is visible; and a source of a varying electric fieldbetween said first and second conductive sheets for causing said sheetof electronic paper to change in color. 2) The sign assembly of claim 1,wherein said second conductive sheet is substantially transparent. 3)The sign assembly of claim 2, wherein said second conductive sheetincludes a printed image having a substantially transparent region inwhich said at least a portion of said sheet of electronic paper isvisible. 4) The sign assembly of claim 1, wherein said source of avarying electric field comprises: a voltage source coupled to said firstand second conductive sheets; and a controller for varying the voltagebetween said first and second conductive sheets to induce said varyingelectric field. 5) The sign assembly of claim 4, further comprising: aswitch assembly coupled to said controller for allowing a user toselectively activate and deactivate said sign assembly. 6) The signassembly of claim 5, wherein said switch assembly is effective toselectively control the rate at which said voltage is varied. 7) Ananimated sign assembly comprising: a first conductive sheet which issubstantially transparent; a second conductive sheet; an image layerwhich is disposed over said first conductive sheet and which includes atleast one substantially transparent region; at least one piece ofelectronic paper which is sandwiched between said first and secondconductive sheets and visible through said at least one substantiallytransparent region, the electronic paper having a color whichcorresponds to an electric field; a voltage source; and a controllerwhich is coupled to said voltage source and to said first and secondconductive sheets, and which provides a varying electric field over aportion of the electronic paper, thereby causing said portion to changein color. 8) The animated sign assembly of claim 7, wherein said secondconductive sheet is substantially transparent, said animated signassembly further comprising: a second image layer which is disposed oversaid second conductive sheet and which includes at least one secondsubstantially transparent region in which said at least one piece ofelectronic paper is visible. 9) The animated sign assembly of claim 8,wherein said first conductive sheet and said second conductive sheeteach comprises a sheet of electrically conductive glass. 10) Theanimated sign assembly of claim 8, wherein said first conductive sheetand said second conductive sheet each comprises a sheet of electricallyconductive plastic. 11) The animated sign assembly of claim 8, furthercomprising: a frame assembly for holding together said first and secondconductive sheets, said image layer, said second image layer and said atleast one piece of electronic paper. 12) The animated sign assembly ofclaim 11, wherein said frame assembly is manufactured from anonconductive material. 13) The animated sign assembly of claim 7,wherein said electronic paper comprises a plurality ofelectrically-charged microcapsules which are effective to vary the colorof said paper in response to said varying electric field. 14) A methodfor animating a sign comprising the steps of: forming a portion of saidsign from electronic paper having a color related to an electric field;and selectively generating a varying electric field over said electronicpaper to cause said electronic paper to vary in color, thereby animatingsaid sign. 15) The method of claim 14, wherein said electronic paper issandwiched between first and second electrically conductive sheets. 16)The method of claim 15 wherein said second electrically conductive sheetincludes an image and at least one transparent region in which saidelectronic paper is visible. 17) The method of claim 16 wherein saidsecond electrically conductive sheet is made from electricallyconductive glass. 18) The method of claim 16 wherein said secondelectrically conductive sheet is made from electrically conductiveplastic. 19) The method of claim 16 wherein said image is printed onsaid second electrically conductive sheet. 20) The method of claim 14wherein said electronic paper comprises a plurality ofelectrically-charged microcapsules which are effective to vary the colorof said electronic paper in response to said varying electric field.